Chrysanthemum plant named Moda

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Moda particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; pompon capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 4 cm at maturity; uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; peduncle length ranging from 5 to 15 cm on open, terminal sprays; medium plant height when grown as a single stem spray cut mum; and excellent tolerance to low temperatures for bud initiation and flower development.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred to by the cultivar name Moda.

Moda, identified as 84Y45007, was originated from a cross made by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif. in 1983.

The female parent of Moda was the cultivar identified as Statesman, an unpatented cultivar. The male parent of Moda was an unnamed seedling, identified as 81765003,

Moda was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in July of 1984 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Moda was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in September 1984 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Moda are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Moda has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Salinas, Calif. under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial greenhouse practice. The low temperature tolerance was determined in repeated flowerings in Bogota, Colombia.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Moda, which, in combination, distinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Pompon capitulum type.

3. Yellow ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 4 cm at maturity.

5. Uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days.

6. Peduncle length ranging from 5 to 15 cm on open terminal sprays.

7. Medium plant height, requiring two long day weeks prior to short days to attain a flowered plant height of 90 to 100 cm for year-round flowerings.

8. Excellent tolerance to low temperatures for bud initiation and flower development.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and leaf characteristics of Moda, with the colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Moda grown as a single stem cut spray mum.

Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Moda.

Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of the leaves of Moda at three stages of development (mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in comparison to Moda is the female parent Statesman. Reference is made to Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Moda to the same characteristics of Statesman.

Similar traits are ray floret color and capitulum form and type. The spray formation of Moda is always terminal, while the spray formation of Statesman is compound. Moda has a larger diameter of capitulum, a taller plant height, a faster flowering response and a better low temperature tolerance than Statesman. Under adverse conditions Statesman exhibits foliar sensitivity to chemical sprays. Moda's foliage has not shown any sensitivity to sprays used in trials.

In the following description, color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown in Salinas, Calif. on Oct. 12, 1987.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora, cv Moda.

Commercial.--Pompon cut spray mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Pompon.

Diameter across face.--Up to 4 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Yellow.

Color (upper surface).--14A.

Color (under surface).--12A.

Shape.--Straight; convex.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Closest to 5A.

Color (immature).--Closest to 151B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; very few disc florets, barely visible in the mature flower; scant pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Medium; 90 to 100 cm as a single stem cut mum with 2 long day weeks prior to short days.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Lobed and slightly serrated.

                  CHART A                                                          ______________________________________                                         COMPARISON OF MODA AND STATESMAN                                                              Moda      Statesman                                             ______________________________________                                         Ray floret color Yellow      Yellow                                            Capitulum form   Flat        Flat                                              and type         Pompon      Pompon                                            Spray formation  Terminal    Compound                                          Diameter across  Up to 4 cm  Up to 3 cm                                        face of                                                                        capitulum                                                                      Plant height     Medium      Short                                             Flowering response                                                                              8 weeks     9 weeks                                           period                                                                         Low temperature  Excellent   Good                                              tolerance                                                                      COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN AS SINGLE                                     STEM CUT SPRAY MUMS IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA                                     ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Moda, as described and illustrated, and parts thereof. 